Crean Lutheran’s Jane Hewitt (No. 74) and Riley Paik (No. 4) try to make a stop on El Modena’s Kaitlyn Galasso Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF playoffs. (Photos courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, Howard Lyon and Miguel Campos).
El Modena High School’s girls flag football team opened the CIF Division 2 playoffs defeating Crean Lutheran 18-0 Tuesday evening at Crean Lutheran.
El Modena (13-6) moves on to face Trabuco Hills (14-3) Saturday at 2 p.m. in the second round at Fred Kelly Stadium.
In the first round win, linebacker Maddie Romo had a pick six and another interception, Hallie Calderon hauled in a touchdown catch and Kylie Tafua scored on a TD run, according to El Modena Coach Robert Calderon.
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“Maddie Romo set the tone for the defense with the pick six and another pick later in the game,” Calderon said. “The defense as a whole played very well, from the rushers, linebacker play, to the secondary. Solid performance all the way around. Defense really held us together until we got going offensively.
Crean Lutheran Coach Mike Shumaker said his team had “a great season” but credited El Modena for the win. The Saints entered the season after winning a share of the Crestview League title with Cypress.
“To be entirely honest, they simply outplayed us in every aspect of the game,” Shumaker said. “They did their homework on us and had a great game plan. But more than that, they executed when it mattered and we did not. We are usually very solid flag pullers and that wasn’t the case in this game. When we failed to punch the ball in on the goal line at the end of the half, it dictated how we needed to play the second half.
“We thrive when we get a lead and can play our usual lockdown defense and ball control offense. Down two scores in the second half took us out of our game plan and made us play a style that is not our strong suit. And that’s a testament to the El Mo girls and coaching staff. Once you make an opponent play your game instead of theirs, you are in good shape.”
The Saints coach a number of players stood out for his team (16-10).
“Ellie Hordyk had some great runs for some good chunks,” he said. “The right side of our defense was on lock with Peyton Downs, Rian Gaeta and Hayli McIlroy coming up with big pulls and a pick each for (Downs) and Hayli.
“But the name of the game is flag football, and we didn’t pull flags nearly as well as we usually do. It’s a heartbreaker, but we’re young; loaded with sophomores and juniors. We’ll be back in the playoffs next year and I have no doubt we’ll make some noise.”
This is the first season that CIF sanctioned post-season playoffs have been held for girls flag football.
To see the CIF playoff brackets, click here:
Send flag football news to timburt@ocsportszone.com
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